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Recently someone asked me how I was doing? Normally, I respond with the usual “okay” even when I’m not. This time I didn’t lie. I proceeded to tell him about the loss of my rabbit, to which he replied “That’s why I don’t have pets. I can’t go through that. It’s too hard“.
I thought about this after he’d gone. It’s true. However, the grieving, painful as it is, is still worth the years of pleasure our pets bring to us, even if it’s all too short. There’s just no measuring the amount of love exchanged. That love makes the pain bearable and I surrender myself to it as I have done many times before. I will continue to do so for as long as I am physically able to care for them.
You see, it’s the people who are the most sensitive, who think they can’t bear the loss of a beloved dog, cat, rabbit, or what have you, that are the best caregivers to our furry counterparts. It’s those we need, to provide a loving caring environment, because those are the people who will extend themselves immeasurably. We will suffer the consequences of loss as we so often do.Because we must.
To those of you who have sworn “never again” and broken your vow, I commend you. To those of you who opt to adopt from a shelter, rather than spend X amount of dollars to flaunt your pure bred, I applaud you. To those of you who rescue the stray and open up your home when it’s already filled to overflowing, I say “thank you”.
To my sensitive friends, believe me, I understand. I’m walking in a cloud of gloom right now but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because as soon as that cloud lifts, my spirit will mend. The cloud is only temporary but the shimmering silver linings are there and they are endless. The love experienced predominates all else. So then, break my heart. Make me your sainted martyr of pets.
Now, where’s that saucer of milk?

Today the baseball hall of fame released its 2013 ballot and there are 3 very interesting first time nominees on it – Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Roger Clemons. We all know that all three of them used steroids and performing enhancing drugs (though laughably they still deny it) but the numbers they put up are just completely off – the – charts awesome. Sammy Sosa is only one of five MLB players to hit 600 or more career home runs (609), Barry Bonds holds the single season HR record with a gaudy 73 home runs and a career HR number of 762 plus a plethora of other records. Take a look at the milestones below which I got from Wikipedia:Records held
Home runs in a single season (73), 2001
Home runs (career) (762)
Home runs against different pitchers (449)
Home runs since turning 40 years old (74)
Home runs in the year he turned 43 years old (28)
Consecutive seasons with 30 or more home runs (13), 1992–2004
Slugging percentage in a single season (.863), 2001
Slugging percentage in a World Series (1.294), 2002
Consecutive seasons with .600 slugging percentage or higher (8), 1998–2005
On-base percentage in a single season (.609), 2004
Walks in a single season (232), 2004
Intentional walks in a single season (120), 2004
Consecutive games with a walk (18)
MVP awards (7—closest competitors trail with 3), 1990, 1992–93, 2001–04
Consecutive MVP awards (4), 2001–04
National League Player of the Month selections (13—2nd place: 8 – Frank Thomas; 2nd place (N.L.) – George Foster, Pete Rose and Dale Murphy)
Oldest player (age 38) to win the National League batting title (.370) for the first time, 2002Roger Clemons’ accomplishments are just as garish with an incredible 354 career wins and a whopping 4,672 strikeouts. He has won many other awards and has broken several other records not unlike Bonds, but I’ll spare you the cut and paste from Wikipedia.I think what the Hall of Fame board must consider are 2 things: 1. although all these incredible numbers were achieved while under the influence of performing enhancing drugs, not every player accomplished this much and we all know that this was the era of dopers – I mean everyone was juicing. 2. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemons were great before (but who knows for sure) and then became super – human during the steroid craze.
So WhaDaYaThink ? What do you think ? I say induct Barry Bonds and Roger Clemons but nay to Sammy Sosa because unlike Bonds and Clemons, I don’t think Sosa was hall of fame material beforehand.

Today is my birthday. In another couple of hours it will be over. Time, in its ever onward march toward the unknown, ever distancing us from our past which is all we have, or had. To avoid getting too philosophical, let me tell you about my day. It began at 5 am or should have but I just couldn’t seem to get out of bed this morning. I knew I had to get an early start because my sidekick at work was vacationing overseas this week, that left me holding the bag that upper management doesn’t care to trouble themselves with. Yeah, yeah, sob story, poor me. After dragging myself out of bed, I become somewhat more lucid once I shower and dress, even recall humming a little tune. Then I feed my hungry kids, of which there are several, both indoors and out, of the feline variety and our two lagamorphs (rabbits, remember my much earlier blog). But Blossom remained out of sight. She had grown increasingly deaf of late. Why, just last night she didn’t realize it was suppertime until I opened her hutch and found her half asleep inside. Then she dashed out, grabbed a piece of apple from her abundant helping of salad and ran back in happily munching away. I laughed. This morning the salad was left untouched. I spied her lying on her side stretched out in what would be her “I’m hot as all hell” summertime snooze but it was cold out. I knew. Right then, I knew. Still, hope prevailed and I checked to see if she might be breathing.
I remember the day MIchael brought her home. She fit in the palm of my hand. That was eight years ago. I am reminded that today, my birthday, time is spiraling out of control. I can’t seem to grasp that my body is rapidly aging while my mind conjures all of the things I’ve yet to accomplish, when I realize, like a slap in the face, there isn’t enough time. Realistically, I would need another lifetime to fulfil the goals I set for myself. I think, why am I doing this to myself? Why can’t I be satisfied with what I have? Why do I think I have to be more than what I am? Why???
The allure is in dreaming of what can be made tangible. In the dream itself, that so fascinates. I can’t help it. I am the epitome of what a dreamer is. I think I’m happy. In fact, I know it, when suddenly, an idea occurs, forming itself like a small seed in my brain and I think, that’s it! That’s what will make me “happier”. I don’t want THIS anymore, I want THAT. Maybe it’s some sort of female midlife crisis. But the reality is, I’ve been this way my whole life. Yet, ultimately, it’s the same dream, over and over, that hasn’t quite come to full fruition. Always the excuse stopping me from coming full circle. Oh, I can’t do that because it’s not the right time. There’s the word again – “TIME”. Avoiding it. Why? Because I’m afraid. Afraid that once I reach the ultimate goal, there will be nothing left to dream on.

Blossom is gone. I wonder why, why this particular day? I won’t shrug it off to mere coincidence. There’s something almost uncanny about it. Time is short. Stop dreaming and LIVE the dream. Happy Birthday. The key word is “happy”.

Abraham Lincoln’s Civil War document is up for sale. Dated April 19, 1861, he authorizes the blockade of all Southern ports which was, in fact, a declaration of war. One might say Lincoln fired the first shot initiating the Civil War. Let’s just say, he called the shots. His signature, firm and resolute as the man himself, constituted an act of bravery that would haunt him for the rest of his life. Indeed, it would ultimately end it in abrupt violence at Ford’s Theatre almost 4 years to the day, on April 14, 1865.
This important document, currently in private hands, will be sold to the first person offering the $900K price tag attached to what really belongs to all of us. How can a record of such historical significance be up for grabs? Shouldn’t it be protected and housed in a public place of exhibition and not part of someone’s personal trophy room? This is not an autograph of your favorite rock star – it’s ABRAHAM LINCOLN who, in his own words, triggers what was to become the single most terrible act of war this country has realized within its own borders resulting in tragic loss of life – for the sake of Freedom. My hero. And yours.
There is no price one can place on on such a document. $900K, a cool million, two – who’s to say? History, bought and sold. It does not belong to one person. It should be donated, whoever you are.

So……………..whadayathink? What do you think? Maybe you’re the guy with the cash who can buy it and give it back to its rightful owner(s). How ’bout it, Big Shot? Or, maybe no one should step forward and buy it in the first place, forcing Mr. (Mrs.) Whoever You Are to donate it themselves.No man resolved to make the most of himself has time to waste on personal contention. – Abraham Lincoln

I recently sent a letter of complaint to Comcast, my Internet provider protesting the constant blurbs relating to non-news items about Kim Kardashian.They refused to accept it because I called her a porno queen, when I changed it to sleaze queen they happily published it. What was their logic in that? Their answer to my complaint was if I didn’t like it , change my web page. I felt this was an arrogant response so I wrote to Comcast corporate office. I accused them of accepting money to run phony news stories concerning Kim.They didn’t bother to answer my inquiry; however, I did get an ad for their On Demand service, which I threw away with great disdain.I figured they must be busy buying N.B.C. so I switched to Yahoo. Sadly, it wasn’t much better.

Well its time to admit it I cannot keep up with the Kardashians. They have beaten me; in spite of my rather feeble efforts, I am ready to accept defeat. Yes, Kim, and her two rather sad sisters Klump and Klepto, the evil mother, and the pathetic, wimp-ass step-father has won.Speaking of which, what happened to this guy? Bruce Jenner won an Olympic medal for the decathlon, a very physical demanding sport. He even had his picture on a Wheaties box ,a very high honor? But why the plastic surgery? He looks like an effeminate waiter at a California sushi bar.Evidently he had a bet with Kim over who would look better after body altering surgery.Kim went to the finest Hollywood surgeon money could buy and allegedly has had nose job. breast implants, face botox, and butt implants and she was not even 30 years old. Bruce went to a kiosk at Walmart and opted for day surgery. The results are obvious. During the operation he also completely lost his manhood, how else to appear on national T.V. as a complete boob.
Typical Episode example— Bruce, reclining in lounge chair on patio wearing designer sweat suit {label prominently displayed} showing athletic look, Kim enters picture wearing revealing bikini,{sexual desire look} cameras linger on shot of Kim’s implanted bust while bending over.Kim glances at Bruce, asks inane question, Bruce, with glazed, distant look unsure of response, pauses, and mumbles inaudible answer. Kim gives admiring stare, thanks Bruce for advice, tells him what a wise and wonderful stepfather he is and exits while camera lingers on jiggling in-planted buttocks. This is definitely reality T.V. at its best. And what drama, why you could cut the tension with a machete.Would you believe Kim has never had an acting lesson in her life?
Somewhere in America, there is a secret enclave where people gather in darkness and guilty watch taped shows of the K’s while greedily devouring snack foods. I personally think it’s in New Hampshire. It has to be because no-one will admit to actually watching openly. Yet, “E” the network for people who have absolutely no life pays big bucks for the “K.s” to really act out their lives. Their show comprises about a third of “E,s” prime time output. They repeat it several times a day and night, in case you didn’t understand the plot the first 3 times.The show is as real as a completely phony setting with microphones,cameras, and a crew of about 8 people watching every move.This show is as real as Kim’s bust and Jenner’s face. It is staged, scripted, cut, edited, and woodenly acted by some very untalented people.Kim’s claim to fame is a “leaked”, sex tape which was so staged I swear “E” filmed and produced it. The fact that she was paid several million dollars for a leaked tape {which was meant for their own use and she was very very angry at her then current boyfriend wink, wink, nod, nod reveals volumes about how they operate}
Kim has followed this up with almost daily appearances on-line of exposing her body in various stages of semi-nudity under the guise of important “celebrity” news. Sadly, because she has no talent whatsoever this is all she has to offer. Her latest affair with minor celebs and her totally faked marriage are supposed to keep the public enthralled and breathlessly waiting for her next p.r. release. It shows how gullible and dumb some of her fans are.Of course no-0ne admits to watching so its actually hard to find a fan.
Obviously the woman displays classic narcissistic personality traits, but the whole family.They should create a new show the “K,s” go to therapy but Kim and Jenner would probably show up in bikinis.They would no doubt use Dr. Phil , another grabit while you can quack.
So on it goes, and I am a beaten man and can only guess what hi-jinks the “K,s” have in store for a hidden public. However I can make one promise I may be beaten but I ain’t gonna watch.

I will miss the geese
When we go.
The raucous squawking
Harbingers
Of the cold weather
To come.
The frantic flight
To who knows where?
Perhaps to just
The other side
Of the pond.
To rest.
To nest.
To see what’s there.

I will admit for years I wavered between being a Democrat and a Republican. Discounting local elections where I just voted for the person, voting for the president was different.However for the past twenty years or so I have remained a staunch independent. Having just witnessed this past election my conviction to remain independent seems to confirm my choice to do so.I cannot get over the the bitterness and outright hatred that is generated by supporters of both parties. It isn’t that the candidates were very nasty, but supporters of both were actually frightening in their conduct.

Truthfully, politics to me is the most boring endeavor that humans partake in. I would no more get excited or involved than I would in a bullfight. While realizing that politics must exist I just have no interest in it at all. With all the corruption, greed, and hypocrisy involved why would I? Therefore it is all the more puzzling why humans get so upset over elections. This country seems to find a way to even out the most radical changes that any candidate or party can make, so why all the anger?If your party or candidate lost, correct the mistakes and do better next time.
I have always suspected that the minute a person assumes public office an immediate change takes place. They are no longer the person you once knew and actually liked. They are now a politician, a curse more obscene than any you could direct at family or friend.They continue to remain so until out of office, by then the distaste is too great as to reconcile. The one exception seems to be ex-presidents. ex. Clinton, The Bush’s, Carter.They are treated far better out of office than they ever were while serving.
During this past election, I received as a registered independent over 19 calls asking me to support Obama.I live in a highly Republican area and I guess Indies are a prime target.They offered me rides to the polls,posters, and an invitation to meet certain candidates.I even received three calls from Pres. Obama himself along with one from Michele Obama. Surprisingly I never got any calls from the Republicans which is probably why they lost.I have since read that certain independents were targeted by Democrats to see if there was any change in their voting selection as the campaign ran down. I didn’t count the call I got from Washington during the primary from Newt Gingrich.
I felt all along the Republicans ran a poor campaign, and had lost sight of the real issues and concentrated more on trying to vilify Obama.They also seemed to react poorly to change and refused to appeal to certain classes of voters.
After the election, I read a very illuminating comment made by a top staunch Republican, which states as follows.”This has got to stop–Trump, Mcconnell, Fox news. Sarah Palin, ultra conservatism and a fanatic desire to self destruct. We don’t seem to be able to gage the public and are unable to react”. This statement seemed to me a very precise analysis of the problems of today’s Republican party. Pres. Obama was ripe for defeat by a viable candidate, unfortunately for them the Republicans were not able to provide one.The Reagan era is gone and the Republican party has to revise itself once again and appeal to a nation that wants real leadership.

I absolutely could not believe what I saw on the front page of yesterday’s New York Times – Headline: 15 Inmates Fled in Hurricane, Raising Questions on Security. In a nutshell, when the power went off, the locks on a privately run prison/halfway house in NJ clicked open and 15 maniacs got out. The first thing I thought was OMG – then I said to myself, wait a minute, George Carlin did a bit on this EXACT same scenario: electric goes out, prisoners escape and then rape and kill everyone (this is classic Carlin – I was looking for it on YouTube but couldn’t find it. If anyone gets a hold of this, kindly post it here, thanks).I’ve blogged about George Carlin several times here so I’ll just keep this short and sweet. George Carlin was so smart that he could actually predict the future – LOL. Many Carlin fans were shocked and amazed after 9/11 because George beforehand said the terrorists would not do it with a bomb, but rather with a table knife (box cutter/table knife – pretty damn close) This clip I do have, check it out